The impact of a 12-week resistance training program on strength, body composition, and self-concept of Hispanic adolescents

J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Apr;24(4):1065-73. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cc230a.

Abstract

Current evidence suggests that a resistance training program may be physically and psychologically beneficial for adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a structured resistance training program on strength, body composition, and self-concept in normal and overweight Hispanic adolescents. Male and female participants (n = 28; 16.1 +/- 0.2 y; 164.5 +/- 1.4 cm; 63.3 +/- 2.5 kg; 20.0 +/- 1.7% body fat [BF]) were recruited from a predominantly Hispanic high school. Prior to the 12-week program, strength, body composition, and self-concept were assessed. Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group (CON; n = 15) or to a resistance training group (RT; n = 13) that participated in supervised strength training 3 days/week. All measures were repeated at the end of the 12-week program. RT had significantly greater strength increases for bench press (p < 0.001), seated row (p = 0.002), shoulder press (p < 0.001), and squats (p = 0.002). RT had significant reductions in %BF (p = 0.001), whereas CON had slightly increased %BF. RT had an increase in condition/stamina competence (p = 0.008), attractive body adequacy (p = 0.017), and global self-worth (p = 0.013) from pretest to posttest, whereas no change was observed for CON. In conclusion, resistance training resulted in significant physiological and psychological improvements in Hispanic adolescents compared to typical school-based activities. These findings indicate that resistance training can be incorporated into the activities of Hispanic adolescents to promote improved health and fitness.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Composition / physiology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hispanic or Latino*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Muscle Strength / physiology*
  • Overweight / ethnology*
  • Overweight / rehabilitation*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Reference Values
  • Resistance Training* / organization & administration
  • Risk Assessment
  • School Health Services
  • Self Concept*